Search - fukushima-

 
 
A U.S. military Osprey aircraft flies over the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the center of the city of Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, in August 2022.
JAPAN / Politics
Mar 30, 2024

Japan designates U.S. bases in Okinawa as security-linked sites

The government has designated 184 sites in 28 of the country's 47 prefectures as critical to national security in the fourth round of such designations.
Peaches grown in Fukushima Prefecture. A so-called zebra firm in the prefecture is selling substandard fruits to greengrocers in urban areas, which leads to higher incomes for local farmers.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2024

Japan eyes socially mindful startups to boost regional economies

Starting in June, the government will launch pilot projects to help such startups cooperate with local governments, banks and companies.
Tourists rest in the shade at the Tsukiji outer market in Tokyo on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jun 12, 2024

Japan marks first 'extremely hot day' of 2024

The temperature hit 35 degrees Celsius in Fukushima Prefecture and rose above 30 C in parts of Tokyo, the Meteorological Agency said.
The central monitoring room of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 9
JAPAN / Society
Aug 25, 2024

Tepco completes fourth round of fiscal '24 treated water release

Since discharges began in August last year, the company has released 62,400 metric tons of the treated water over a total of eight rounds.
The Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant's No. 2 reactor was set to restart Tuesday after more than 13 years of suspension.
JAPAN
Oct 29, 2024

Japan restarts nuclear power plant closest to 2011 earthquake

Nuclear power used to account for around a quarter of Japan’s electricity mix prior to the disaster, but it was at just 6% as of March 2023.
Tohoku Electric Power workers restart the Unit 2 reactor of the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Oct 30, 2024

A lack of workers threatens Japan's nuclear power revival

The slow revival of nuclear power has dramatically worsened a skills crunch visible across the nation’s nuclear industry.
Tsunehisa Katsumata was known for his quick decision-making, which earned him the nickname “Razor Katsumata.”
JAPAN
Oct 31, 2024

Former Tepco chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata dies at 84

Katsumata was the company's point man after the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant went into meltdown in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
The seaside town of Shika on the Noto Peninsula, where the local power provider, Hokuriku Electric, has been fighting for a decade to restart a nuclear power plant in the town’s center.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 2, 2024

Can quake-prone Japan ever embrace nuclear energy again?

The government, its makeup in flux after the LDP lost seats this week, will soon need to make decisions that will shape Japan's future nuclear policy.
The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station in Niigata Prefecture, the world's biggest nuclear plant, on Aug. 5. Like many others in Japan, the plant is seeking clearance to restart, as the country grapples with how to shape its nuclear future.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Nov 19, 2024

Japan’s nuclear future: Caught between climate goals and reality

Japan is well short of hitting its nuclear power goals by 2030, with the challenging nature of reactor restarts likely impacting its emissions reduction targets.
A stone pillar at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, on which the word "toilet" was spray-painted in May
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 29, 2024

Chinese man pleads guilty to role in vandalizing Yasukuni Shrine

Jiang Zhuojun said he assisted with the vandalizing to protest against Japan's discharging of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
Chugoku Electric Power Company's Shimane nuclear power plant
JAPAN
Dec 7, 2024

Chugoku Electric restarts Shimane reactor for first time in 13 years

The long-delayed restart of the reactor, which was shut down in January 2012, boosts the number of Japan's operational reactors to 14.
The Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2024

IAEA team arrives in Japan for third review of N-plant water release

The mission will conduct safety inspections and meet government and Tepco officials.
Japan aims for nuclear power to make up 20% of its energy mix by 2040. However, the restart of the country's reactors is complicated by issues such as local opposition, as is the case for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 10, 2025

Robust new nuclear target for Japan is shrouded in uncertainty

A new plan envisions nuclear power making up 20% of Japan's energy mix by 2040. But hurdles to reactor restarts and rising electricity demand cast a shadow on such ambitions.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi
JAPAN
Feb 5, 2025

IAEA chief to visit Japan nuclear power plants this month

Rafael Grossi will visit Tepco's Fukushima No. 1 power plant and an interim storage facility for soil from radiation decontamination work.
Personal items that were collected after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 are on display at a facility in the city of Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture.
JAPAN
Mar 9, 2025

Municipalities to end storage of personal items collected after 3/11

When asked what is needed to continue storing collected personal items, 16 municipalities cited the need for storage and display space, while 10 mentioned budget constraints.
A pipeline to transport seawater, part of the facility for releasing treated radioactive water to sea from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN
Apr 28, 2025

Tepco finishes first round of fiscal 2025 treated water release

In fiscal 2025, Tepco plans to release a total of about 54,600 metric tons of treated water in seven rounds.
After the appellate court ruling in the shareholders' lawsuit over the Tepco Fukushima No.1 nuclear accident, plaintiffs hold up signs reading "Unjust Ruling" on Friday in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jun 6, 2025

High court overturns ruling against ex-Tepco executives

The count found the executives were unable to predict the tsunami that triggered the triple reactor meltdown at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
The Tsuruga nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture. Under an amended law, nuclear plants' operating period may be extended beyond 60 years to compensate for stoppages caused by "unforeseeable circumstances."
JAPAN
Jun 6, 2025

Japan law comes into force to extend nuclear plant lifespans

Under the amended law, nuclear plants' operating period may be extended beyond 60 years to compensate for stoppages caused by "unforeseeable circumstances."
Storage tanks containing treated radioactive water at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Futaba, Fukuahima Prefecture, on July 21
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 2, 2023

Tepco back to profit in first quarter on lower fuel cost

The firm paid ¥50.3 billion in compensation in the first quarter of the 2023 fiscal year, which began in April, it said in a statement.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 3, 2023

Kishida aims to draw 'Global South' support in upcoming trip

Kishida plans to find common ground with emerging economies over the topic of food security, an area of increased attention since the invasion of Ukraine.
Locally caught seafood at the Hamanoeki Fish Market and Food Court in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on Aug. 31
JAPAN
Sep 27, 2023

Russia considers banning Japanese seafood imports

Russian food safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said it had discussed Japanese food exports with its Chinese counterparts.
A group of Chinese tourists arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in August.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 11, 2023

Japan public opinion turns most negative on China in nine years

More than 92% of respondents to the Japanese section of the poll said their impression of China was "not good,” up from 87% last year.
Japanese public sentiment toward China worsened in 2023, with 86.7% of respondents saying they felt unfriendly toward China, up 4.9 percentage points from the preceding year, while 12.7% felt friendly, down 5.1 points.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 20, 2024

Japan public sentiment toward China worsens, Cabinet Office survey finds

The survey found that 86.7% of respondents felt unfriendly toward China, up 4.9 percentage points from the preceding year, while 12.7% felt friendly, down 5.1 points.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 10, 2024

Nuclear power policy to be major focus in parliament after Ishikawa quake

The New Year's Day earthquake occurred near Hokuriku Electric Power's Shika nuclear power station, raising concerns over another nuclear disaster.
Rescuers prepare supplies before entering Taroko National Park after an earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan.
JAPAN
Apr 5, 2024

Local governments in Japan move to support quake-hit Taiwan

Areas in Japan hit by previous disasters are aiming to offer support for Taiwan.
The smartphone screen of a man in his 70s from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture shows exchanges with a person claiming to be a woman from Taiwan discussing investment in gold.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal / Regional Voices: Fukushima
May 6, 2024

Online predators seduce elderly victims into investment scams

Cases of people being swindled out of money show working-age people are also falling victim.
Investigators are looking into whether the robberies were carried out by the same suspects.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
May 16, 2024

Tochigi police suspect two men held over theft linked to similar crimes

The Tochigi police formed a joint investigation team with the Gunma and Nagano prefectural police after similar cases were reported in their respective prefectures.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (center) addresses a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday to discuss the issue of treated water released from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant into the ocean and measures to support the fisheries industry.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 30, 2024

Japan discusses aid for fisheries industry amid China ban

The government reiterated its commitment to taking full responsibility until the discharging of treated water from the Fukushima No.1 plant is completed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Indian leader Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden look on during an event at the Quadrilateral Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday.
JAPAN
Sep 22, 2024

Australia backs easing of China's ban on Japan fishery products

The leaders of Japan and Australia agreed to enhance their countries' cooperation on economic security and affirmed the importance of expanding youth exchanges.
Tanks containing treated radioactive water at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN
Oct 14, 2024

Tepco ends 5th round of treated water discharge slated for fiscal 2024

About 7,800 metric tons of the water, diluted with seawater, was released about 1 kilometer offshore through an undersea tunnel.

Longform

After the asset-price bubble crash of the early 1990s, employment at a Japanese company was no longer necessarily for life. As a result, a new generation is less willing to endure a toxic work culture —life’s too short, after all.
How Japan's youth are slowly changing the country's work ethic